Fountain pen



July 3, 1945.

L. A. BROOKE FOUNTAIN PEN File'd Dec. 18, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 vii! July 3, 1945.

l. A. BROOKE FOUNTAIN PEN Filed Dec. 18, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 3, 1945.

L. A. BR OOKE FOUNTAIN PEN.

med Dec. 18, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 zlgyd 1Q Brcoite.

Patented July 3, 1945 Q Lloyd A. Brnoke} Washington,

My invention is in--tliat class* of fou'ntain pens which contain within themselves; the means are usually" termed" selffilling fountain pens.

the cap or the pen; which? is usually employed to coverfan'd protect the penwpoint itself, isyused on the other end of the iiarrel' as an exteri'or' piston by 'means of which any unused' ink; as well as any sediment tliatimay' have been deby a single pull-ordrawfoftliepiston-the bar rel i filled" to the lintendedext'ent witl'r'a new supply 1 bf ink. Thus; inasmuch as the" i/eli m'e ofinl alwaysequals-the voliime of ink, sediment; and air displaced By thefthrustpf 'the" pistdn;

the piston becomes ih-fact a measuring device with which the pen may; be fil1ed5 The amount of; ink taken into' tli e pen b'y erati'on iS'aIWaystHe-Same; Y H

The objects ofthe invention are to produce a' pen having a largeink capacity; one that' sh'ail not use any rubber sack, sleeve" or the 'equiva lent; and apen that'sliall alwaysheiille'df with the proper amount of inkya-nd by a single operation-ofthe-pi'ston. I I

Another object of the invention ie to produce" a'pen of simple construction; and yet-'have'-al-=large= ink capacity; a minimum number of p'arts, and one thatis inexpensiveto build'and-maintain';

A stillfurtherobject i's'tbproduc'ea-pen which has" a specialvalve construetion"; whereby a ready movement" of airinto'" and out oftlie-* bar-f relduring the filling o peration is'possibleyb'ut which shall prevent the passage df 'ink -or-"air"a't all other'times.

W" 'hth'ese and other Obj ect's in iliejw', reference is made to the accompanying drawings 'forniin'g" a part-Oi thisspecifi'cation"ffiraiull understandil'lgOf theinventionk I Fig: '1' is a1 sectional elevationj of the-"pen filled and-closed. g j i Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the structure showing, the pen cap in" use asa' pist'on partiall'y" withdrawn. as in thefilling operation:

Fig; 3" is a partial sectional elevation of' the any one filling opduring the filling 'opgrat rearendor 't'opofthepenjshowing-a check valve.

and; a cage therefor, with the" filling can as piston forced down; as during the fiIIihg' operation.

Fig, 4 is an enlarged end-F iiiewpf"the-filling pist'on andcover cap on1in'e- 4-1 Figure 3:

v Fig; 5 a partial sectibn'al elevationof the rear end." of the pen closed, using a modified-check I valve; including-"a stem on which a spring is meunted:

further modification=of the parts'. I v

' Fig. 6 is'assectional elevation off-amodified construction. the -pe'n'being-"fi1Iedf-and closed; the pen cap being 'ofa somewhat different: form" from that shown in-Figs." 1, 2'a'nd-3l g Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of the structure of Figure 6 showing the filling cap 'separated' from its head; and-withdrawn 2, -d1llfi1'l'g-'the" fll1f ing operation.

Fig. 8 is -anxenlarged' end 'iview of manning Fig. 9 is an enlarged end, viewof the eap coil'ar o Figures 6 and 7""'on-line-99, Figure '7'? Fig. 10 is -an enlarged sect'ional eievation -offthe openend of? the fillingca-p and' coilar; showing a' Fig; 11 is-anenlarged e'nd view ofthe cap of Figures 6 and-'7 at line ll -ljl Figure 1'0; withcollarremoved." Y

Fi 12 is a sectional elevation o'f "thepefi filled and closed'fshewing a structure which is; a still further rnodification."

Fig." 13 is a sectional" elevation 'ofFigurel2'; showing'the filling -'cap paiti al1$ withdrawn} as Fig. 14 is a:- partial 'sectional elevation ofth'e rear erid'of Figure 12, shoW-ingthe checkvalve? raised; and abouttdbe thrusif'down bytHe piston,

as durin'gthefilling'operation.

Fig; 15 ure145 Several forms of the invention are shown; These will be described one after the the'r; lie-- ginning'with the'form shown on sheet 1 The same reference numerals'indicate corre spending parts throughout} the severalviews.

' e drawingsiii'sclosefthiee' separate and dis tinct forms of the invention: the first; that shown in Figs. 1 4; second, that" illustrated by Figs: 6 to 9', inclusive; "thirdthe forms disclosed b'y {Figsl l2"t0*15, inclusive Theselwill' be described in' the order given; biit many=of"the pairtsioftlie second and third form are identical withtho'se of the first form, so'that' it" will not benecessary to describe the second an third forms-fas'- tl'i"e detail isthe same asthe fii tform,

Figs.-1,2,. 3.and;1- p

Referring" to Figures 1; 2, 3*,ranaw4; the-bar rel I, the cap 2; the connections; the feed plug 4', the pe'n poi'nti (nib) 5; and th'e rear cap S-are' of the usual type in external appearance. The

barrel 1-, preferably is 'of'translucentplastic"ma It' 'is externallythreaded;in nthe'usuali manner, to receive the cap 2 which also i is pref-' erably of the's'ame -m'a teriail; Thisbarrelil fo'nns the ink chamber, and has the plug 4 and pen 5 at the one end, here termed the lower end, and is substantially closed at the other end, here termed the upper end, but which is provided with an opening 8 thereon, for purposes to be described. The connection 3, also preferably of plastic material, may be integral with the barrel l, or made as a separate piece, as desired. The barrel terminates in an approximately flat end at 7, in which is the comparatively small orifice 8. While this opening is relatively small, it is sufficiently large 'as not to throttle the incoming or outgoing air during the filling operation.

The opening 8 terminates at its outer end in a valve seat 9, which is to receive a ball check valve III, of hard rubber, plastic, or similar suitable material.

The upper end of the barrel l is fitted with an internal thread, to receive a sleeve or housing I I, also of some suitable plastic or other proper material. And within this sleeve or housing 1 l is a cage 12, containing the valve l0 itself. The barrel is internally threaded at this end, and the thread extends to a shoulder, which is recessed to a smaller diameter at l3 down to the level of the check valve seat 9. The outer edge of this end of the barrel is slightly beveled at M, to, provide for its easy entrance into the filling cap 2, when the latter is used as a piston with which to fill the barrel. v

The housing l l is externallythreaded for its entire length, and the end which is screwed into cage l2, a circular hole extends to the outer endof the cage. This allows a free fiow of air the barrel is cemented in place, or otherwise suitably secured in position, when the pen is assembled. Within the housing H is a chamber, within which the check valve l0 is'plaoed, but loosely enough for the valve to move up and down a small distance; for instance, an eighth of an inch, more or less, so that it may rest on the valve seat 9 when down, or on a conical top 15 of the chamber when lifted, as when the piston is drawing ink into the barrel and the enclosed air must escape. In assembling the structure, the unit formed by the valve In, the housing H, and the cage l2, are together placed in the barrel. and the housing screwed down until it rests on the shoulder, and is then cemented, or otherwise secured in position. The housing H is somewhat longer than the threaded opening in which it is placed, and therefore'extends above the same, and the parts are so proportioned that the rear cap 6, which closes the top, can be screwed on to this extension.

The cage l2; preferably made of metal, is substantially a hollow cylinder having :at the inner end a recess to contain theball check 10. This recess has a diameter sufiicient to allow the ball check-free motion, and is of a length to permit the ball ID to move upward sumciently to permit 7 the free passage of air during the filling operation (Figure 2 This recess is slightly closed at l6 (Fig. 2) after assembling the valve in the cage, as at l6 (Fig. 2) just sufiiciently to retain and hold the ball 10.

- The upper end of this cage terminates in a therethrough, as well as performs another function which will be described below. On the outer end of the ball check cage l2, there is arranged a small button-like head Ill, of such shape as to leave free the opening through the cage. The outerflange of this head 19 is slightly flared, to make it easy to take hold of with the fingers and lift. This flange is secured in position in any approved manner, after assembling the valve I 0 and cage I 2 in the housing H. The outside of the cage should be made to fit snugly but freely in the recess of the housing I I, both at the cylindrical and conical sections of the recess, so that the friction is suificient to hold it in raised position (Figure 3). In the down or lowered position, the cage l2 should come to rest on the flange of the button-like head l9, and not on the bottom of the recess, so that the valve M can rest on its seat.

The preferred construction of the unit, comprising the check I ll, the housing II, and the cage I 2, should be of such size that the same assembly can be used in pens of various sizes.

The cage I2 is held raised by friction in the housing H and so readily allows the passage of air into the barrel when the filling piston 2 is thrust down. The air that may be in the ink chamber, together with any remaining ink or sediment, is thus forced out of the barrel prior to the actual filling operation.

In thrusting the filling cap or piston 2 down to its full extent, the check valve cage l2, and the enclosed valve are carried down also until the valve seats (Figure 2) then with the pen, which is now empty and resting in the ink supply to the lines ll or 22, according to the construction of the nib and feed plug, the cap or piston 2 is now drawn up, and entirely ofi the barrel. This will draw ink into the barrel, the valve Ill rises at the same time and so allows the air from the barrel to escape, and simultaneously ink will be drawn into the pen barrel itself.

The instant the piston 2 is off the end of the barrel, the check valve Ill will drop to its seat 9 by action of gravity, and will be held there by the atmospheric pressure, thus trapping the ink in the barrel. The rear cap 6 is then replaced, closing the end of the barrel, and atthe same time the post 2| locks the valve on its seat.

The cap 6 is internally threaded to engage the threads 20 on the extended end of the cage housing H, and is so formed as to cover and protect the bevel 14 on the end of the barrel. This cap 6 may support the cap 2 during the writing operation, as shown in broken lines at 2 in Figure 1.

The cap 6 is fitted with an internal post 21, on approximately its center line, which post passes through the hole in the button-like head l9, and the hole in the upper end of the cage, and rests on the ball check Ill, thus forcing the valve closed and firmly holding the same on its seat 9. The cap or piston 2 is of such length, between the closed end 22 and the packing 23, as to give a stroke which will create a displacement equal to the correct capacity of the ink barrel, so that the ink chamber canbe filled as far as required by one operator stroke.

The open end of the filling cap or piston 2 has a counterbore 24 up to a series of fine threads 25, which may be left hand, and which terminate farther on in a recess, the upper end of which is shown as a beveled shoulder 26. This .-.packing 23 in'a'n'glandformed by the collar 21 head by the threads'25. The metal collar 21, in

this arrangement, is provided with latches to engage with'.:the part 35. Latches 36 on the cap 2 are made to removably engage with collar 35.

Latches 36 enter the collar 35 and engage catches 31 in a metal catch collar 38; shrunk on the internally threaded collar 35. 'Just ahead of the threads 25 is-a small section of small corrugations 39 parallel to the center line of the cap. A metal lock ring 40 (Fig. 6) is formed to engage thesecorrugations, and is also fitted with three recesses M to engage the sides of the latches 36 and thus keep the collar 35 in proper position. These recesses 4| should have the proper clear- 'ance for easy and proper operation.

The catch collar 38 is fitted with holes or catches 31 properly formed to fit the latches 36, and also allow their easy entrance and withdrawal; To this end the ccllar38 is beveled at 42 to allow easy access of the latches on assembling the two parts. The parts are so fitted that thelatches 3E engage :the catches 31 and the partsare easily engaged bysimply slipping the -their operation on assembling. The portion of the collar 35 in wake of the collar 38 stops at the bevel 42, from which point it is extended slightly, at a reduced diameter, to act as a guide for the latches 36 on assembling.

' The cap'2 is fitted with two vent holes at 45,

by which to admit air as the piston 2 is separated from the head 35.

The rear cap 6 is the same as in the'arrangementfshown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, except that its exterior is formed to meet, and hold the combined cap 2 and collar 35 in the Writing position of the pen.

This arrangement allows the reduction of the diameter of the external threads on the end of the barrel I by any amount desired, subject to the size of the nib and feed plug, which allows the tapering of the barrel I towards the writing end. Further, the collar 35 form a good finger hold, by which to hold the barrel during the filling operation.

Figs. 10 and 11 Referring to Figures 10 and 11, there is shown a modified form of separable piston and collar.

The cap or piston, here marked 2 has the same internal threads 25 beyond which is the packing collar 23*, against which is screwed a compression collar 46. The lower end of the part 2', threaded portion 41, is shown interrupted, with three blank segments 48 (Fig. 11), and three threaded segments 41. These threads are separated by a blank area 49-of sufficient length to allow free access to the collar 41 during assembling. These threads should both preferably be left-hand inthis arrangement, although if the thickness of the material will allow, the threads 41 may be made of a diameter such as to allow the assembling of the collar 46 without the interruption of the threads. If this is done the threads 41 should still be left-hand while the threads 25 may be right-hand. The collar 35*" has external threads to engage the threads 41, whichwould also be interrupted to 'allow easy assembling of the parts, thus necessitating only a part ofa turn to assemble the collar 35*. This collar is also threaded internally, in the usual manner, to engage the external threads on the end of the 'pen barrel I. The packing collar 4'! is externally threaded to engage the threads 25*, but these external threads are interrupted to pass the threads in the end of the cap When itis by these interrupted threads, and is in the area 49, it may be readily assembled, the packing 23', having previously been placed, by the proper tool made to fit the three recesses 50 in thecollar Referring to Figs. 12,.13, 14 and 15, there is shown a structure, further modified as to the piston and as to the check valve, but still retainsthe general principles of the invention.

In this form, the barrel 1 is shown of the usual size at the end which carries the pen, but the rear end is reduced in diameter, the larger and s'mallersections being connected. by a tapered portion 5!. The pen cap or piston 2 is'to function also as a filling piston, as in theother forms, in one position (Fig. 12) as a protector for the pen, and in the other, as a filling piston (Fig. 13). The smaller section of the barrel is of sufficient size to function with the piston as a filling element, as in the other forms." A an additional element, the post, which in the earlier figures is shown as being the closing cap and valve seating device 6, is here shown with the same body 5, but with a long sleeve or skirt 53 attached thereto, and reaching to the tapered part 5| of the barrel. This element is of approximately the same external size as is the large part 1| of the penxbarrel, and when in place meet the taper 5|, thus making the barrel of the same size throughout its length. This cap 6 is provided with internal threads which engage with the external threads of the housing |'l,'just as do the internal-threads of the cap 6 'of Fig. 1, so that as the cap, with its'attached skirt '53, is secured in place, thecheck valve will be seated, and the sleeves or skirt 53 will move to register with the bevel 5| on barrel.

In this form, the; barrel is first emptied and then filled by the piston 2, just as in the first form. The closure 6 and its attached skirt or sleeve 53 is removed during this operation.

In this form the packing for the piston is different from the other forms. The packing ring 55 is of metal, and is beveled at its sides at [4 to allow easy access of .thefilling cap 2, during the filling operation, and is'also fitted, on its other face, with two recesses 51 (Fig.' l5) for a spanner wrench or the like to actuate the ring 56,

The housing H, of any suitable material, in the end of the barrel, is fitted with an inside hole, part of which is conical and made to fit asimllar portion 58 on the ball faced'checked'valve 10, with the portion of the hole below the conical portion of sufiicient diameter to allow an area such as will let the air by-pass the lower-end of the valve Ill. The portion above the conical portion is smaller than the diameter of the hole, so as'to admit the 'stem' or post 59, which in this case is integral with the ball faced valve. This outer portion of thehole is further fitted with three grooves 60 which allow the air to readily by-passthe' stem 59 and valve. r I

The ball faced-check valve;lllsciisefittediwith'ia=9 conical zsectiom 58;1just 'lbehind theshalfcsphericals; section;zwhichiterminates in ithe stemfiayiwhich 0112sumcient: iengthanwhem seated to =:1be :aisma distance above :the iouter endcot-thei bearing?! and which-"continues to aslightly reduced diam terhaving a taper;;to receive thes-smallbutton-v likeximetal' :head 9. In rzth'is'. sarrangementpthe bl'edg zbut it may be secured: in ciany ':'other.:1ap;-:1 I proved mannera: The headrlsandlthe stem 9iare-1 rounded I: at the :outer ena: to xpro'per'lyiircontact the rear eap- 6 when. theupen: isl closed-p and-the: closed end izrof the-capl inzthe:fillingmcperation:1

"the mean cap 6 of plastic-imatenalgi without any postg i'si :fitte'd i= with internal :2 threads engage the threads of ithe portioni ZU'rofzthe mousing-1| I and "'also with? a cylindricali SI'GEVGFEE 33k ofiplasticlr material, integral: therewithi This lsleeve' 53ifhas i an inside diametersuificient to 'clean the packing 23 a'nd anf'ou-tside' diameter; giving ':the :requiredzi strength; but preferably-somewhat smaller than the outside diamet'er o'f the cap 2;; I

This sleeve 5?. forming part -"of the rear pap Y: B terminates at itsiouter end ina conicalrpontion to easilyfit: the section 5 I: on :theibarrel a l :1 The 53, should be of 'such length; and so designed-.: that a movement along-ethea barrel/of. aboutx fg inch is -possible.- Thisswillialways -insure the proper i'seating fqf the check svalve-iil 0.1 For reasyt' manufacture :of therear= cap :6 it isfitted with a plug *6 I at the 'rear endvwhich is cemented in place; but-may be secured -i'n anyapp'rovedman-t ner; or it may be-maole "integralwith .thei-Irest:

of-the cap;

' The cap-2 is of the usual-typeand appearance,

withrth'e inside diameter slightly larg'errtharithe diameter of-the rear, smalleriendiportionaofi'theus barrel I-, and is of' a length "to give' the'required-iz stroke for the propenair. displacements Thee open end is fitted with the usual counterborexz 24; and the internal"threadsflfliito engage the threads on pen 1 end of the :barrel: 1 .3 J ust: above 1 the threads #29 in asmall slig-htlyfbeveledspore tiong to "flirther -'aidi 'inl'thestarting of the cap 2 ove'rthe end :';ofthe sbarreliand packing; 23,

holes fi are'formed. in the cap toryentithe same in-='-the closed positioni The insidefiof. :the top 22-'of'-the=piston 2 contacts andvreturnsthe valve andits" stem to thrust downy: theisame asan incident to the :fillin'g operation;

This arrangement-gives -a. slightly I increased.

displacement of air during the filling 'operatiom dueto the lo'cation'ofsthe: packinggand :gives1a valve and filling cap arrangement; of simple form;

The larger rear cap-is less likely-to :be dropped; and if dropped its loss less. likely; and :itsirecov- J ery much easiers This larger style or "rear cap 1 may also 'be incorporated in the: design: of: the pen -shownin Figure 11' where it v would have the 1 effect ofprotecting "the :suriaceeof the 1 barrelcontacte'd bythe packing r-in the filling cap a 2. I

Itisnot the intentionto limiti'thear-rangementi of-'the pa'cking 23 or the 'ipacklngfiglandgcgllar 27 to th'e foregoing designs a operaticm" In thefilling operation, the rear cap 6 is first removed; exposingzthebutton-like head l9. With the pen point- (nib) in or over the ink supply (bottle) the head 19 is lifted until it stops. The filling cap 2 is then placed on the rear end of the'barrel I and pushed down. It will starteasily over the beveled end M, The filling cap is then shownat 2 forced down asifarias' is possibla-ethe body-:ofathee barrel being grasped at any places. There 'are no openings to COVeIt This movement of the Piston will thrust :out the: air, and any'f-ink or sediment a y be in the :barreL and -a1s' will re'turn'thevalve'cage l-2, or the'entire val-vein"figs.'"l2," 13 and 14,-- to its original positionr" Thefilling cap 2 is shown in its-lowest position,

With the'pen-nowin' the ink supply; the'-fi-Il f"- ing cap 2 is dr'awnerror the barrelfthusdraw ing ink-into the barrel. The rear cape is now replaced and the penis readyfor useI- I Attention" is directed to the -iact jthat""'the"- arrangements are exceedingly "simpley"that 'the' constructions are flexible, but positive inactio'n, and yet require no excessive refinements of. cone struction. It provides the" necessary airi""space above the maximum inksupply, yet the penwil'li,

centimeters, when my feed arrangemen'tfP'a'ltentfl No; 2,l36,3'71"is used for the largestflsizes' oft? pens now in general Iuse. v It has noifrubber" sack or sleeve, and there is a visible ink'sup'ply the entire length of the'barrel. This pen fdoes: not depart in general appearance from thecon ven-tional;. it is easilywadapted vto streamlining (so-called); as well'as for desk use. The filling cap can be "grasped-in. anyjmanner;gthereisf no 1 hole to cover with 'th'ewfinger or thumb? and the-parts are comparatively few simple andla'st-lg From the foregoing descriptions; take -mea nection with the accompanying drawings, it is' thought the construction, operatio'nland advan'a" tages'of theinventi'on willbe'apparentL h Having described the principle. of. my invention what'I claimisz 1 p 1. A self-filling fountain pen, comprising ant-ink barrel having a pen point and feeding plug atone a end and an openingthrough the other .tend,'.. a piston operable externally of r the. barrel. andflover the opening in the end thereonpacking. within thepiston adapted to cooperatewith the outside of the pen barrel for maintaining a close fit between the barrel and: the piston, andQa ,valve structure without the opening in the end omhe.

barrel and cooperating with the pistonxto contro1'.

the opening. g I I 2. A self-filling fountainpen, .comprisingiganL, ink barrel having a pjenand feed rplugiat one'end and ano-pening for the passage of air into' and out of the barrel at the otherend, an imperforate piston operable externally ofvthe barrel andlcvrl i, l I

the air opening therein, a check-valve on theout side of the barrel normally controlling. the air opening, manuallyoperable means for moving the check-valve out of operative relation with the l openingit-controls, so thatair can pass there "through when the piston is moved jtoiintr oduce. air into thenbarrel, and means operatedbythe pistonufor' restoring the' valve to its" normjfaljj position. i x 3.. A self-filling fountain pen, comprising an ink "barrel having a penand feed plug therefor at one end and an opening, for. the {passage 'of iair into andout of the barrelat 'theother end, a piston operable externally ortne barrel androve'r. the air; opening therein, ,a (check valve normal1y';c0ntrol'- ling the admission of air throughthe airopening'? means'for moving the check valve out of operative relation to the air opening so that air can pass therethrough as the piston is depressed, and

means actuated by the piston as it nears the end normal position.

4. A fountain pen, comprising an ink barrel having, a ,pen feed. opening at one end and a valve controlled opening at the other, a piston operable externally of the barrel for introducing air into the barrel, a check valve normally preventing the passage of air into the barrel, manually operated means for moving the valve out of its normal position and into the path of movement of the piston as it makes its stroke in one direction, so that-the piston will restore the valve to its normal position near the end of its stroke, and means for closing the end of the barrel and locking the valve on its seat in normal position.

';A fountain pen, including an ink barrel having a pen feed opening at one end and a valve controlled opening at the other, a piston operable externally of the barrel for forcing air through thevalve controlled opening and into the barrel, a check valve for preventing the movement of air through the opening in one direction, a cage for the check valve, manually operated means for moving the check valve and its cage out of normal position, and means operated bythe piston on its inward stroke to move the valve back to its normal position.

'fifAself-filling fountain pen, including a pen barrel having a feeding opening at one end and a valve controlled opening at the other, a, hollow piston operable externally of the barrel and over the valve controlled opening, adapted to force air contained in the piston through the opening into the barrel, a check valve normally preventing the passage of air into the barrel but permitting air in the barrel to pass from the same, means for manually moving the check valve from operative to inoperative position, a valve cage havin an elongated chamber within the same in which the valve rests and maymove to a limited extent from and toward the valve seat, a housing in which the cage and its enclosed valve may be moved manually, and means to restore the valve to its normal position after it shall have been moved therefrom.

7. A self-filling fountain pen, comprising an ink barrel having a pen point and feeding plug'at one end and an opening through the other, an imperforate piston operable externally of the barrel and over the opening in the end thereof, packing with in the piston for cooperating with the outside of the barrel to effect a close fit between the piston and the barrel, and a valve structure cooperating with the opening in the end of the barrel to corn trol the same, which valve mechanism includes a ball valve, a valve cage having a space therein r for the valve to rest easily overthe opening and to move longitudinally in the cage to a limited extent, and a housing Within which the cage and its supported valve may be moved.

8. A self-filling fountain pen, comprising an ink barrel having a pen point andfeeding plug at one end and an opening therein at the other end with a Valve seat around the same on the outside of the barrel, an imperforate cap for the pen and ink feeding plug which also serves as a filling piston adapted to operate externally of I 'of-itsinward stroke for restoring the valve to its valve structure including a valve and a manually movable cage therefor without the opening inthe' end of the barrel and cooperating with the valve seat to control the passage of air through the opening, the valve cage being in the path of the piston near the end of its down stroke, whereby the valve and its cage are forced into operative position with respect to the valve seat.

9. .A self-filling fountain pen, comprising an ink barrel having a pen point and a feeding plug at one end and an opening in the other, a pen cap and filling piston, a packing in the piston adapted to cooperate withthe outside of the barrel to effect a close fit between the piston and the barrel,-a valve structure carried by the barrel and operating to close the opening in thebarrel when required, and a barrel cap for closing the end of the barrel when the piston is not on the barrel andfor forcing the valve to its seat.

.10. "A self-filling fountain pen, comprising an ink barrel having a pen point and feeding plug at one end and an air opening in the other,a pen cap and filling piston, a packing in the piston to efiect a close fit between the piston and the barrel, a valve structure carried by the barrel and operating to control the air opening in the barrel, and a barrel cap adapted to close the end of the barrel and simultaneously force the valve to close the air opening in the barrel.

11. A self-filling fountain pen, comprising an ink barrel having a pen pointand feeding plug at one end and an air opening in the other, a-

ing, and a barrel closing cap having a post there- 7 on at approximately the center part thereof whereby to cover the end of the barrel and simultaneously seat the valve over the air opening so as to close the valve and hold the valve to its 7 seat.

12. A fountain pen comprising an ink barrel having a pen feed opening at one end and a valve controlled opening at'the' other, a piston operable externally of the barrel for introducing airinto the barrel, a check valve having an elongated stem by which the valve may be manually moved from operative relation with respect to its seat and'by which the valve stem may be moved'into the path of the piston as the latter makes its stroke in one direction, so that the piston will restore the valve to its normal position near the end of its stroke.

13. A fountain pen comprising, an ink barrel having a'pen feed opening at one end and a valve controlled opening at the other; a piston operable externally of the barrel for introducing air into the barrel; a check valve having an elongated stem by which the valve may be manually moved from operative relation to its seat; a valve hous inghaving an elongated recess therein for part of its length for the valve to move in and an openthrough the remainder of thehousing through which the valve stem may moveinto the-pathof the piston as the latter makes its stroke in one direction, so that the piston will restore the valve to its normal position near the end of its down stroke. I

' LLOYD A. BROOKE. 

